The key players in the trial

As Michael Jackson goes on trial he will be catapulted back on to the world stage before his biggest audience.

The star's every move will be monitored by an media circus as he defends himself against allegations of child sex abuse.

The key players are:

:: The defendant - Michael Jackson. Jackson, 46, could well be the most prominent person to be tried in a criminal court. His unusual way of life has never been far from the headlines.

Since his debut with the Jackson 5, alongside four of his eight siblings, the singer has won eight Grammys and had hits including Billy Jean, Beat It and Bad.

The star lives at his Californian Neverland ranch and kept a pet chimp called Bubbles.

By 1991 his facial features had radically changed with a series of nose jobs. He had jaunty cheekbones and permanent eye-liner tattooed around his eyes. He blamed a medical condition when his face became a milky white colour.

Jackson drew sharp criticism when he dangled his baby son Prince Michael II, born to an unidentified mother, from a Berlin hotel balcony in 2002.

He had a 19-month marriage to Elvis' daughter Lisa Marie Presley before marrying nurse Debbie Rowe. The couple had two children before splitting in 1999.

:: The judge - Rodney Melville. Melville, 63, a judge since 1987, has a stern, but fair reputation. He has served in the Superior Court for 13 years and has extensive experience in criminal, civil, family law and probate matters.

He grew up in San Diego, was a Navy submariner, then attended San Diego State University and the University of California's Hastings College of the Law.He is married with two children.

Jackson has already attracted his wrath after arriving 20 minutes late to his plea hearing last January. Judge Melville branded it an "insult to the court".

:: The prosecutor - Tom Sneddon. Sneddon, 63, has been the Santa Barbara County district attorney for 22 years, but plans to retire next year. He has a reputation for being sharp-tongued and tenacious.

His courtroom demeanour won him the nickname "Mad Dog" early in his career, but the years are said to have mellowed him. He supervises a staff of 247, including 50 lawyers.

The native Californian, who has nine children, was forced to drop child molestation charges against Jackson 10 years ago after the boy in that case accepted a £10 million payout. He fought to ensure erotic material, seized during searches of Jackson's ranch be admitted as evidence in the trial.

:: The defence - Tom Mesereau. Mesereau, 53, replaced Mark Geragos as lead defence counsel in April. Jackson released a statement saying it was "imperative" he had the full attention of those representing him when his life was at stake.

Mesereau is a former boxer and his clients have included Mike Tyson. He attended Harvard University, the London School of Economics and Hastings College of the Law. His courtroom style is straightforward as opposed to theatrical.

He is expected to portray Jackson as a harmless character who donates huge sums to charity to "foster the interests and welfare of the world's children".

In a statement Mesereau claims the singer believes "that children are the true example of God's beauty, innocence and purity".

:: The accuser - "John Doe". The identity of Jackson's accuser is being withheld to protect his privacy, although it was widely publicised in 2003 when Martin Bashir's Living with Michael Jackson documentary was broadcast.

During the interview, the boy, then 13, is seen holding hands with Jackson and resting his head on his shoulder.

The teenager from Los Angeles was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2000 and lost a kidney and his spleen. He is now in recovery.

His brother, sister and mother are all prime prosecution witnesses in the trial although the Jackson team is expected to lambaste their credibility, claiming they intend to profit from financial settlements.